Another motivation that should help us in our daily walk with Christ is living out of our identity in Him. Scripture tells us that we have been adopted as God’s children, and today’s verse reminds us that in some mysterious way, we are now seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.

Our true identity is that we are citizens of heaven.

Ken Boa gives an excellent illustration of what it means to live out of our identity in his book, Conformed to His Image.

Joe Louis was the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1948. During that time he served as a soldier in World War II. One day he was driving a jeep with a friend and had a minor accident with an army truck. The driver of the truck got out and began yelling at Louis, calling him all kinds of names. During the entire time, Louis simply sat in his seat and smiled back at the man berating him. Finally the man drove off and Joe’s friend asked him why he didn’t just knock the guy out. Louis smiled and said, “Why should I? When someone insulted Caruso, did he sing an aria for him?”

Joe Louis knew he was the heavyweight champion of the world, and a few harsh words from some stranger in a truck didn’t change that.

The key is that Joe Louis knew who he was…he lived out of his identity.

In the same way, we are children of the King. Accusing words from others, whether deserved or not, does not change our true identity.

Our identity in Christ can also help us in times of temptation. In the midst of that temptation, the more we live out of our identity in Christ, the more we will be aware that the temptation is drawing us into an activity that not only is wrong, but also is unworthy of us.

We are better able to live out of our identity in Christ when we regularly remind ourselves who we truly are in the heavenly realms.

We are sons and daughters of the King.

Prayer: Lord, remind me that I am more than just flesh and blood in this world, but Your prized adopted child destined for heaven.